Apple `Tomer`

ABSTRACT

An apple variety derived by hybridization from Red Delicious×Anna F 2  is distinguished by the fact that it can be grown successfully without the necessity for an extreme degree of cold in the winter season.

This invention relates to new and distinct variety of the apple Malussylvestris L.

The new apple was produced by hybridization from Red Delicious×Anna F₂.Propagation is by asexual reproduction (grafting of cuttings). The newvariety has been grown and examined over a period of seven years at EinShemer and Kvutzat Shilar, Israel. In Israel, the variety is grown inirrigated fields. The new variety has been tested for a period of twoyears the Ministry of Agriculture, Plant Breeders' Rights Council, BetDagan, Israel. The fruit of the new variety is generally medium firm tofirm, has red cheeks, is conical in shape and is slightly tart/slightlysweet; the size is medium to large. In Israel, the new variety flowersat the end of February to the beginning of March, and the apples areharvested generally at the end of July, or possibly from the middle ofJuly. In appearance, the fruit of the new variety resembles the "Anna"apple, but ripens later. The apple of the new invention is suitable foreating in the fresh state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a photograph of respective whole and cut samples of ripeapples of the variety described, the locules of the fruit being clearlyvisible in the cut sample;

FIG. 2 is a photograph of a seven year old tree in full foliage prior topicking time; and

FIG. 3 is a photograph of twigs and leaves of the new variety. The oneyear old shoots are shown to have small-sized scattered lenticles andadpressed buds having small-pointed tips. The lower side of the leaf (onthe right side of the photograph) has very weak anthocyanin colorationof the veins. The upper side of the leaf (in the middle of thephotograph) is a dark green color.

DESCRIPTION OF THE TREE, SHOOTS AND FLOWERS

The tree is of spreading habit, ultimately 5 m high and 5 to 5.5 m wide(on Malus communis rootstock) with medium density of branches, thegrowth is vigorous and the growth of the shoots is wavy and fruit isborne predominantly on shoots. The characteristics of a one year oldshoot are as follows: weak pubescence on upper half, medium shine on thebark, thickness (diameter at center) about 6 mm., strong flexibility, 8nodes per 20 cm., many small size lenticels, predominant color on thesunny side--brown (RHS-177A), small bud with pointed tip, position ofbud relative to axis--adpressed, small bud support and strong crimpingthereof. The flower bud is dark pink before the flower opens, thepedicel is red. The medium size single flower has ovate petals, thepetal margins are overlapping, the color of the petal upper side is 55CDand 55D when faded (RHS Colour Chart). The productivity is as"Delicious" and the pollination is as with varieties "Anna" and "EinShemer" in the coastal plain in Israel. Thinning of branches and offruit is required.

DESCRIPTION OF THE LEAF

The leaf is of medium to large size, between concave and straight incross-section, shape of the apex mucronate. The leaf blade, which iscolored green (RHS-135A) when expanding, shows serrate indentation ofmargin, weak glossiness of the upper side, strong pubescence on thelower side and very weak anthocyanin coloration of the veins. The upperside, from which anthocyanin coloration is absent, is dark green(RHS-135A).

FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS

The fruit size is classified as medium to large. The shape is conical,and asymmetric in side view. Ribbing is absent or very weak. There is astrong degree of crowning at the distal end. The eye is closed and is ofmedium size; there is a deep and broad basin at the eye end of thefruit. Persistence of the calyx is present. The medium size sepalsoverlap at the base. The fruit stalk is short and thin; the stalk cavityis of medium depth, but is narrow. The fruit has a smooth surface, skinbloom is present; greasiness, translucency and any cracking tendency ofthe skin are all absent. The skin is thin, its ground color is yellow(RHS-11P), it has a medium amount of orange red over color, this beingof solid flush type. The amount of russet, which is found around the eyebasin, is very low. The lenticels are of medium size. The flesh ismedium firm to firm, juicy, greenish in color and has a fine texture;grittiness is absent. Any browning of the flesh one hour after being cutwith a stainless steel knife is either absent or very weak. The fruit incross section shows either no or very weak distinctiveness of the coreand closed aperture of locules. The fruit has 5 locules and typically 5to 10 seeds, the shape of which is elongated. Both the time of pickingfor commercial harvest and the time of fruit ripening for eating are (inIsrael) generally at the end of July. The keeping quality of the fruitis medium. The fruit can be kept on the tree until full ripening.

Response of the tree to drought--full irrigation is required; the treehas no special resistance to insects or to diseases. The degree of salttolerance is dependent on the type of rootstock.

We have designated the new variety "Tomer". The "Tomer" varietypossesses the advantage that it can be grown successfully without thenecessity of the extreme degree of cold in the winter season, as hasusually been necessary hitherto. This means of course that the apple hasthe potential for being grown in climates with winters which arerelatively milder than climates in which apples are usually grown.

I claim:
 1. The new and distinct variety of eating apple substantiallyas described and illustrated herein, being derived by hybridization fromRed Delicious×Anna F₂ and distinguished by the fact that it can be grownsuccessfully without the necessity for an extreme degree of cold in thewinter season.